Key-ring chain



c`. H. ons.

KEY4 RING CHAIN.

, APPLICATION FILED JULY 22,1920. 1,380,244.

Patented May 31, 1921.

Wl TNESSES l /WE/vrok l @HUT/s er Q 2/o l 770HNEY8 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

lCH.B..'B.'.ILES H. OTIS, OF GRANGE, CONNECTICUT.

-new and Improved Key-Ring Chain, of

which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to .improvements in key ring chains, an object ofthe inven-` tion being to provide a chain vof improved construction andimproved coupling means ilsl for holding the ends of the chain together.

A further object is Lto rovide an improved construction of couplingdevice which is rimarily adapted for use on key ring chains, but whichalso can be conveniently used on various types of chains or .otherarticles.

' With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certainnovel features of construction, vand combinations and arrangements ofparts, 'as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out inthe claims.'

In the accompanying drawmgs-.

Figure 1 is a plan view` illustrating my improved key ring chain.

Fig. 2 is an enlargedl view in longitudinal section in the coupling.A

Fi 3 is a view in transverse section on the ine 3-3 of Fig. 2 with theball or bead omitted.

member of m improved key ring chain. The chain A 1s preferably composedof a YSeriesl of hollow spherical balls or beads 1 v connected b links2. The links 2 preferably constitute s ort sections of rod projectedthrough openings 3 in the balls or beads 1 and havingtheir endsvenlarged, as shown at 4, to securely couple the parts together.

The cou ling member B comprises a l sleeve whic is Vformed preferably ofa single sheet of metal bent into general cylindrical shape and providedintermediate its ends with a relatively large opening or entrance 5 forthe accommodation of an end ball or bead 1. The sleeve or coupling' B atone end is smaller than the other end, or, in other words, the two endsof the metal sheet formin the sleeve are brought close together, as sown at 6, so as toY revent the disconnection of lone end ball o thechain. The other end of the sleeve B is madewith a Slow through which alink 2 may be Specification of Letters Patent.

A represents the chain and B the coupling Patented May 31, 1921.

iApplication led July 22, 1920. Serial No. 3985104.

moved. In this slotted end of the sleeve B a thimble 8 has rotarymounting and the thimble and the end of the sleeve arepreferably curved,or, in other words,` are of somewhat spherical shape so as toy securelyhold thethim'ble in the end of the sleeve, but permit its rotarymovement, 'and a milled finger hold 9 is provided on the outer end ofthe thimble to turn the same. This th1mble-8 is made with a slot 10which is adapted tov register with the slot 7 of the sleeve B to permitcou li or uncou lin of one end of the chainpwiltlgi the sleevd.) ,g Theoperation is as follows: With the parts as shown in Fig. 1, the ends ofthe ,c hain are securely coupled and when it is desired to uncouple, itis simply necessary to turn 'the thimble 8 to register the slot 10 ofthethimble with the slot 7 of the sleeve. These slots 7 and 10 will thenaccommodate the end link 2 so that said link can be moved through theslots to bring the end ball or link 2 through the slots 7 and 10 andthen Aturn the thimble 8 to move its slot. 10 out of register with .theAslot 7 -so that the parts' will be eifectually coupled.

While Il have described my invention as a key ring chain, it is obviousthat it may be adaptedfor many other uses, and particularly the couplingmeans, which may be utilized in connection with necklaces, chainsbracelets, and other articles.

- Various slight changes might be made in the general form andarrangement of .parts described without departing from the -invention,and hence I o not limit myself to the precise details set forth,butconsider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterationsaasfairly fall within the ,spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A device of the character described, comprising acouplingsleeve having an entrance in its side wall, a slot extendingfrom said entrance to one end of the sleeve, a thimsimply necessary tereturn the ball or bead through the'v entrance 5 and move the end ed tobe moved through said slots when the latter ,are in re 'ster, and saidparts locked together when t e thlmble is turned to position the slotsout of register.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a coupling sleevehaving an entrance in its side-wall, a slot extending from said entranceto one end of the sleeve, a thimble having rotary mounting in theslotted end of the sleeve and having a slot adapted to register with thefirst-mentioned slot, and a coupling member comprising an enlargementand a yrestricted portion, said enlar ment adapted to be moved throughthe sai entrance, and said restricted portion adapted to be movedthrough said slots when the latter are in register, and said partslocked together when the thimble is turned to position the slots out ofregister, said thimble and enlargement being of general spherical shape.

3` A device of the character described, comprising a coupling sleevehaving an entrance in its side wall, a slot extending from said entranceto one end of the sleeve, a thim'- ble having rotary mounting in theslotted end of the sleeve and having a slot adapted to'register with thefirst-mentioned slot, a coupling member comprising a'n enlargement and arestricted portion, said enlargement adapted to be moved through thesaid entrance, and said restricted portion adapted to be moved throughsaid slots when the latter are in register and said parts lockedtogether when the thlmble is turned to posismall diameter connecting theballs or beads, a coupling sleeve having an opening or entranceintermediate its ends and adapted to permanently hold the end ball inone end ofthe sleeve, said sleeve at its other end having a longitudinalslot of a Width J suiiicient to accommodate a link, a thimble mounted inthe slotted end of the sleeve and having a slot therein adapted toregister with the first-mentioned slot, and an enlargement on the outerend of the thimble.

CHARLES H. oTIs.

